Russia to work actively in East Asian Community to make it stronger

November 14, 2011, 19:10 UTC+3Lavrov has been instructed by President Dmitry Medvedev to attend the 6th East Asia Summit

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MOSCOW, November 14 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia intends to take an active part in the East Asian Community to make it stronger, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Monday, November 14, ahead of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Bali.

Lavrov has been instructed by President Dmitry Medvedev to attend the 6th East Asia Summit.

“It would be expedient for the EAS to set directions for improving security architecture and cooperation for other regional bodies, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the Meeting of ASEAN Defence Ministers and Dialogue Partners,” Lukashevich said.

“Russia is ready to join in cooperation on five sectoral EAS topics – finance, energy, emergency response, health, and education. The relevant Russian ministries and agencies intend to participate in the implementation of joint programmes within the framework of the corresponding sectoral EAS mechanisms,” the spokesman said.

“The main result of the meeting in Bali will be the Declaration of the East Asia Summi on the principles of mutually advantageous relations, which will provide a political framework for the operation of the EAS mechanism. In particular, it will confirm adherence to the universal international norms and principles such as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, refusal to use force, resolution of interstate disputes by peaceful methods, and recognition of cultural and ethnic diversity of countries in the region,” Lukashevich said.

“ASEAN partners have also suggested adopting a declaration of interconnection of ASEAN countries. This document will offer support to EAS work aimed at creating a highly integrated community of the ten,” Lukashevich said.

“The Russian side actively participates in the drafting of the final documents,” he added.

The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian region. Membership will expand to 18 countries including the United States and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011. EAS meetings are held after annual ASEAN leaders’ meetings. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur on December 14, 2005.